Helicobacter Pylori [H. Pylori] blood tests are used to determine if there is a bacterial infection within the stomach. This bacteria is known to increase the risks of the development of peptic ulcers and may also contribute to chronic gastritis or in rare instances stomach cancer.
There are several different types of testing that can be performed. Some tests can be quite invasive, such as having an endoscopy to remove a tissue sample. The helicobacter pylori blood test will look for antibodies that are produced by the body’s immune response to determine the presence of the bacteria.
Please note: The H. Pylori blood test is not considered to be a screening test to provide a diagnosis. It cannot determine if an infection is current or simply happened in the past. For this reason, the blood test is typically followed by a breath test or a stool antigen test to confirm the presence of the bacteria.
When To Ask About Helicobacter Pylori Blood Tests
The most common reason to discuss the need for this particular blood test is when there is gastrointestinal discomfort that will not go away or is severe and intermittent. Some people may also experience weight loss, problems with indigestion, or feel like they are bloated consistently. Belching may become more frequent and there may also be feelings of nausea that strike from time to time. With any of these symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment with your medical provider if they do not get better over time.
Some of the symptoms of an H. pylori infection may require more immediate medical attention. This includes the presence of blood in stools or in vomit. Stools that are bloody or look like black tar should be evaluated immediately. Blood in vomit tends to look like used coffee grounds. Someone experiencing sharp, severe, and sudden stomach pain should also be immediately evaluated even in there isn’t the evidence of blood in the digestive tract.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
The helicobacter pylori blood test results will either be positive or negative. If the results are negative, then this means an individual is unlikely to have experienced an infection of this bacteria. If it is positive, then follow-up testing is recommended.
The most common test that is ordered is called the “urea breath test.” A medical provider will have an individual suspected of an H. pylori infection drink a liquid that contains a low-level radioactive element. If the bacteria is present, then this element is broken down into carbon gas that can be detected on the breath.
For those who wish to avoid this test, a stool sample can also be obtained to determine if there are H. pylori antigens present.
If the tests are negative, but the symptoms continue to persist, then a medical provider may request an endoscopy so that a direct tissue sample can be tested to determine if a bacterial infection is present.
If a test is positive, then an antibiotic treatment is generally ordered. Depending on the severity of the condition, other medications may also be recommended to allow the stomach and digestive tract the chance to properly heal.
Here’s What You Need To Know
Children are generally not recommended to have the urea breath test because of the radioactive element exposure. Most medical providers will simply request the stool antigen test if the Helicobacter pylori blood test comes back as positive. Some providers may not even request the blood test.
Having stomach pain does not immediately mean that an H. pylori infection has occurred. Ulcers can form for many reasons and abdominal pain can be caused by hernias, muscle strains, and other health issues. This is why an appointment with your medical provider is necessary if persistent abdominal pain is present.
Antacids can sometimes cause false results to occur on some of the testing methods used to detect this bacteria. This is especially true for the breath test and the tissue sample tests. If you are taking proton pump inhibitors, bismuth products, or magnesium-based antacids, the Helicobacter pylori blood test may be recommended as the first option because it is not affected by these substances.
Pain in the stomach, blood in the stool, and the other health issues which can be caused by the H. pylori bacteria are not normal health conditions. The Helicobacter pylori blood test results explained here can help you begin the journey toward a proper diagnosis and receive the treatment that may be needed. Only a medical provider can diagnose H. pylori, so if you suspect an infection, make an appointment with your doctor right away.